EPA and Wangaratta Council test for lead in groundwater

THE Wangaratta Clay Target Club is believed to be the cause of contamination that prompted closure of the neighbouring sports complex.
Tests to determine whether lead contamination has reached water supplies in the area are expected to produce results within the next three days.

The environmental hazard came to light little more than two weeks ago when Wangaratta Council moved to close down the city’s Clay Target Club and North Wangaratta Sporting Complex.

It is unlikely the Hawks Football Netball Club will be able to use its home facilities for the rest of the season.
Alternative venues for games and training purposes have been sourced through AFL North East Border.
The Environmental Protection Authority could not determine the risk to community members who had previously used the venues until further testing had taken place.
The two sets of soil sampling taken by the authority both returned a lead presence above the recommended level on the eastern side of the field.

The council tested water samples from rain water tanks and bores at the Vine Hotel and Wangaratta Rifle Club, which were both negative for lead contamination.
The EPA also took water samples from bores within a one kilometre radius of the football oval late last week, with the results expected in the next few days.
EPA North East manager Clare Kiely said groundwater was now the focus.
Residents who used bore water were being advised to seek further advice.

“While some testing of water bores and rain tanks at the adjacent gun club and hotel have come back clear of lead, as a precaution, a number of bores within a one kilometre radius will now be tested,” Ms Kiely said.
“Goulburn Murray Water has told EPA bore water is not treated for human consumption and that advice should certainly be heeded while EPA’s investigations into lead contamination at the site are ongoing.”

The council has been liaising with users of both facilities and posting regular updates on its Facebook page.
Both sites remain cordoned-off with danger signs, road blocks and fact sheets at the direction of the Department of Health and Human Services.

For more information about the lead contamination, visit the council’s website at wangaratta.vic.gov.au/council/news/NorthWang.asp.

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